USING ALTERNATE MEDIA

For students with print-related disabilities, approaching alternate media as "having your computer read the books for you" is likely to result in frustration and disappointment. Students must be prepared to actively participate in the process, which includes:

reading along with the text itself;

making notes of where you are in the text and on the computer, and;

constructing outlines and other organizational strategies.

This level of activity will allow students to receive the maximum benefit from their alternate media.

In most cases, students find that using alternate media takes as much, if not more time as traditional reading. Students must consider carefully whether they wish to make the time commitment this accommodation requires. For students who have not had experience using any form of alternate media, a trial experience with one or two book selections is highly recommended.